Yoga For Beginners

Yoga is basically the uniting of the mind and body through meditation and movement and it is a great way to exercise without overstraining the body. It is a great way to stay in shape and tone and strengthen the body. Anyone can do yoga from young to old, beginners to advanced. If you are new to yoga here are a few tips on how to get started.

How to Start practicing yoga

The first thing to do is to purchase a high quality yoga mat; this mat will be used for kneeling, lying down on, sitting and standing. A high quality mat is needed to protect the body from injury. A moderate mat can be purchased for about $30. The next step is to buy the right type of clothes, not too baggy or too tight. The best material is cotton or some other type of breathable fabric, Lycra or spandex is also good. Try on several outfits and see how they fit before making a final choice. A beginner may want to practice at home with a CD before actually going to a class.





It is best not to eat anything two to three hours before class. Do not wear socks. It is best to do yoga in the morning when your mind is free and open. Practice yoga everyday or at least 1-2 times a week. If you are menstruating wait a few days before resuming class. If you are pregnant tell the instructor because there may be certain types of styles that are not appropriate for your state. Also if you have an illness consult your physician first and then let the instructor know.

Poses for Yoga Beginners to Try

A beginner should do poses that are comfortable and not strained or overdone. Practice and work on form that is most important and work at your own pace. A few poses that are ideal for beginners are the fish pose, the twisting pose, backward bend pose, bridge pose, head to knee pose, shoulder stand and the corpse pose.

Types of Yoga to Start With

Yoga should stimulate and raise energy throughout the spine and it should include breathing and meditation. Some yoga types to start with are:

- Kundaluni Yoga- great for all levels it involves healing methods, emotional cleansing and music is played through out as part of the yoga.

- Hatha Yoga- great for all levels it is the basic yoga from which most types of yoga are derived from, it is more of a moderate level.

- Lyengar Yoga- great for all levels it uses blocks or props to help with poses; it concentrates on alignment of the spine and the eight limbs of yoga. It also concentrates on meditation and healing of the joints.



- Kaipalu Yoga- great for all levels it is moderate and uses the poses of Hatha, it also concentrates on breathing exercises and meditation in movement.

Yoga Class Etiquette

- Always be on time, pay and talk to the instructor if needed before class starts
- Shower before and after yoga
- Turn off all mobile phones
- Take off shoes and all jewelry
- Do not wear perfumes, oils or any scent that will disturb others, the smell intensifies as you sweat
- If you have to leave early leave before the cool down period-“Savasana”, this will allow you to gather your stuff and not interrupt the class.
- Never walk in front of the class if you have to leave early go around the back
- Don’t step on others mats it is very unsanitary
- Don’t distract others by whispering or talking
- Go to the bathroom during rest breaks so you will not disturb the class
- Be polite and clean up after yourself when class is over
- Bring something with high absorption qualities to wipe the sweat from your body.
- Have fun and take it slow